Mass Communication (MASC)

College Program Codes: 2-02. Check with department for semester
when these courses are offered. Read each course description for
prerequisites.

1100
MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY (3 credits) Theoretical aspects of the media in the
United States. Focuses on current media industries, issues, and events from coverage
of high-profile events to media criticism. Students should gain an understanding
of the social, economic, and intellectual forces that have helped shape the media.
The course, primarily through lectures and demonstrations, presents concise historical
perspectives. Liberal Education Categories 7
& 9

1820 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONIC MEDIA
(3 credits) Theoretical aspects of the history, development and
role of the electronic media. An examination of the overall operation
of radio, commercial and public television, cable, and other
electronic media. Students should gain a broad overview of how the
electronic media operate as businesses and as societal forces.

1840 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA
WRITING (3 credits) Applied aspects of techniques and styles of writing
for mass media. Students should gain an understanding of elements common to
all writing for the mass media and the differences among them. This course requires
basic keyboarding skills. Liberal Education Categories
6 & 11

2100
MINORITIES IN THE MEDIA (3 credits) Theoretical and applied aspects of the
coverage of disenfranchised groups by the mass media. Students should gain an
understanding of the complexity of the cultural, political, and economic forces
that shape media coverage of disenfranchised groups. Through case studies, research,
class discussion, and reporting and producing one or more stories, students
learn how groups outside the power structure in society are portrayed in the
mainstream media. Liberal Education Categories
7 & 9

2180 COMMUNICATION HISTORY (3 credits)
History of print and broadcast media in the U.S., and their
interactions with technical, cultural, political, and economic
forces. Theoretical framework for putting mass media organizations in
historical perspective and understanding how these organizations
affect our society. (Might not be offered every year)

2190 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION
(3 credits) Theoretical aspects of global communication processes: a comparative
study of Communist, Third World, and Western media, and how systems affect global
order in respect to economic, social, and political interaction. Students should
gain a greater understanding of the diversity of communication systems throughout
the world, the complexity of interactions between those systems, and the importance
of such an understanding to maintaining successful global communication. The
course incorporates lecture and discussion, and uses case studies of countries
to study the theoretical issues. Liberal Education Categories
7 & 8

2221 INTRODUCTION TO AUDIO (3 credits)
Theoretical and applied aspects of audio communication. Production
techniques, FCC rules and regulations, and basic operation of radio
stations are included. Students should gain practical skills in
operating all types of audio equipment, as well as basic audio
editing skills. The course incorporates lecture, demonstration, and
hands-on opportunities. Students are required to spend several hours
each week on the campus radio stations.

2231 INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO (3 credits)
Theoretical and applied aspects of video communication, including
international television systems. Students should gain basic skills
in the operation of all types of video equipment, and video editing.
The course incorporates lecture, demonstration, and hands-on
opportunities to cover basic video production techniques. This course
requires participation in the campus television station, or related
video activities.

2280 PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION (3
credits) Applied aspects of the production of audio and video
programs. Performance in front of studio cameras is stressed.
Students should become proficient in on-air delivery and programming.
Remote and studio operation is included for both audio and video
facilities, using demonstration and hands-on sessions. This course
requires participation in the campus radio and television stations.
Prerequisites: MASC 2221 and MASC
2231.

2440 NEWS REPORTING (3 credits)
Applied aspects of reporting and writing news stories for the mass
media. Students should gain competency in gathering and synthesizing
data and producing written news stories in a timely manner. Lectures,
discussion, and projects cover the techniques of gathering
information from a variety of sources and writing it in various news
formats. This course requires several hours a week working closely
with the campus media. Prerequisite: MASC
1840.

2450 PHOTOGRAPHY (3 credits)
Theoretical and applied aspects of black-and-white photography,
including camera handling and darkroom techniques. An introduction to
the medium through examination of historical photos, followed by
exploration of light, film, and camera. Students should become
familiar with all aspects of operating a 35 mm camera and producing
quality black-and-white photographs for self-expression and for
media-related work. The course requires darkroom work and assignments
that may require photography off-campus. Students must have a 35 mm
adjustable camera, pay a lab fee of $20, and purchase about $35 worth
of photographic materials.

2600 PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING (3
credits) Theoretical aspects of advertising processes: an overview of
the field, concentrating on the sociological aspects. Students should
gain an increased awareness of how advertising works, where it fits
into the fabric of our society, and how it is used--sometimes
ethically and sometimes not. The course incorporates lecture and
discussion, and students gain appreciation for advertising techniques
through weekly analysis of both print and broadcast advertising.

2640
ADVERTISING COPYWRITING (3 credits) Theoretical and applied aspects of writing
advertising copy. Students should gain an understanding of the essentials of
copywriting and how various appeals can be applied in specific situations. Rules
of electronic and print copywriting are discussed in detail, supported by specific
examples of copy. The course requires writing copy outside class and possible
involvement with advertising efforts of local businesses. This is not a production
class, however, so assignments and projects are not produced. Prerequisite:
MASC 1840.

2810 ELECTIVE PRACTICUM
(0 credits) A zero-credit, applied course for majors, this practicum requires
students to spend a semester working on campus with a medium of their choice-
either repeating an audio, video, or print experience or working with another
area, such as the Publications Office or Sports Information. Gives students
the opportunity to apply what they have learned in classes as well as become
aware of areas in which they need further work. Students determine in conjunction
with the department chair before the beginning of the practicum who their supervisors
will be, and those supervisors are responsible for offering guidance and advice
throughout the course. Grades of "S" or "U" will be assigned by the department
chair in consultation with practicum supervisors. Prerequisite: MASC
2221 or MASC 2231 or MASC 2440,
as appropriate.

2820
AUDIO PRACTICUM (0 credits) A zero-credit, applied course for majors, this
practicum requires students to spend a semester working on campus with an audio
medium, such as the campus radio stations. Gives students the opportunity to
apply what they have learned in classes as well as become aware of areas in
which they need further work. Students determine in conjunction with the department
chair before the beginning of the practicum who their supervisors will be, and
those supervisors are responsible for offering guidance and advice throughout
the course. Grades of "S" or "U" will be assigned by the department chair in
consultation with practicum supervisors.

2830 VIDEO PRACTICUM
(0 credits) A zero-credit, applied course for majors, this practicum requires
students to spend a semester working on campus with a video medium, such as
the ITV office, the campus television station, or the public television station.
Gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in classes as
well as become aware of areas in which they need further work. Students determine
in conjunction with the department chair before the beginning of the practicum
who their supervisors will be, and those supervisors are responsible for offering
guidance and advice throughout the course. Grades of "S" or "U" will be assigned
by the department chair in consultation with practicum supervisors.

2840
PRINT PRACTICUM (0 credits) A zero-credit, applied course for majors, this
practicum requires students to spend a semester working on campus with a print
medium, such as the campus newspaper or the alumni newsletter. Gives students
the opportunity to apply what they have learned in classes as well as become
aware of areas in which they need further work. Students determine in conjunction
with the department chair before the beginning of the practicum who their supervisors
will be, and those supervisors are responsible for offering guidance and advice
throughout the course. Grades of "S" or "U" will be assigned by the department
chair in consultation with practicum supervisors. Prerequisite: MASC 2440.

2870 PERSUASION IN THE MEDIA (3
credits) Theoretical aspects of the use of persuasion in the media
and everyday life. An examination of the theory, principles, and
tactics by which persuasive messages are developed and conveyed,
including defenses against unethical persuasive tactics. Students
should gain the ability to recognize and critically analyze
persuasive attempts. This is a lecture and discussion course in which
students are expected to be involved in class discussions and to
conduct mini-field experiments on the persuasive theories and
principles learned and present their findings to the class.

2925
PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: MASS MEDIA PERSPECTIVE (3 credits) For both
majors and non-majors. Theoretical aspects of the effect of the mass media on
environmental processes. Students should gain an understanding of the complexity
of the cultural, political, and economic forces that shape media coverage of
the environment, and the importance of such an understanding to maintaining
a sustainable global environment. The course is a discussion section of the
interdisciplinary lecture on environmental issues for liberal education. Liberal
Education Category 10

3100 MEDIA ETHICS (3 credits)
Theoretical aspects of social and professional ethical issues in the
mass media, strengths and weaknesses of the media, and consequences
of making critical judgments under pressure. Students are expected to
be involved in class discussions, and to research and present
relevant material. Assumes a good, basic understanding of the
media.

3107 POLITICS AND THE MEDIA WORKSHOP
(2 credits) Theoretical aspects of the interaction between politics
and the media in the United States. Students gain an understanding of
how the political process and the mass media work to shape each other
nationally. Offered for both majors and non-majors in cooperation
with the Washington Center in Washington, DC.

3110
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (3 credits) Theoretical and applied aspects
of communication within organizations. A study of human interaction in the activities
of organizations, including cooperation, conflict, decision making, compliance
gaining, resistance, morale building, cohesion, the use of power and authority,
and the creation and maintenance of professional relationships. Students should
gain an understanding of how organizations use communication, and improve the
communication skills they need to function effectively in organizations.

3130 VIDEO DIRECTING (3 credits)
Applied aspects of scripted and non-scripted television programming.
Students should gain experience in the direction of news, sports, and
documentary television programs in studio formats. The production and
direction of single-camera, edited video clips are covered through
demonstration and hands-on experience. This course requires several
hours a week of lab work to complete editing assignments.
Prerequisite: MASC 2231. (Might not be offered every year)

3150 PHOTOJOURNALISM (3 credits)
Applied aspects of press photography and picture editing. Students
should gain competence in creating photographs and designing and
laying out photo essays. Demonstration and hands-on experience covers
darkroom processing, picture story planning and execution, and
computer manipulation of images. The course concentrates on the
application of basic principles of both photography and journalism,
and requires laboratory work, as well as in-class participation.
Prerequisites: MASC 1840 and MASC
2450. (Might not be offered every year)

3222 ADVANCED AUDIO PRODUCTION (4
credits) Applied techniques of audio production: hands-on experience
in the techniques of audio script writing, multiple-source audio
recording, and multi-track audio editing and production. Students
should be able to use the techniques learned in class to produce
advanced audio documentaries, information programs, audio dramas, or
complex audio sound tracks for film or video productions. In addition
to some lecture and demonstration, this course involves much hands-on
experience. A considerable amount of laboratory time is devoted to a
group term project. Prerequisite: MASC
2221.

3232 ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION (4
credits) Applied techniques of electronic field production. Hands-on
experience in the art and technique of writing and scripting,
videography, and linear and digital video tape editing. Students
should become familiar with the techniques and equipment of
electronic field production, and should be able to produce basic
news, documentary, informational, or entertainment video programs. In
addition to lecture, discussion, and demonstration, students spend a
considerable amount of time outside of class writing, scripting,
story boarding, filming, and editing productions. Prerequisite:
MASC 2231.

3440 ADVANCED REPORTING (3 credits)
Applied aspects of advanced, in-depth reporting. Students gain a
basic understanding of the techniques of researching story leads and
cultivating sources, and competency in presenting information through
print, broadcast, and new, emerging technologies. Lectures,
discussion, and projects cover the techniques of writing about issues
that affect the public. Prerequisite: MASC
2440. (Might not be offered every year)

3660
PUBLICATION DESIGN (3 credits) Applied aspects of the production process
for both periodical and non-periodical publications. An overview of how design
techniques can be used to enhance readership of newspapers and magazines, and
how specialized publications can be used to communicate with targeted audiences
to reach specific objectives. Students write copy for, design, and produce newspaper
and magazine pages, and pieces such as posters, flyers, and brochures. The course
incorporates lectures on design and production principles, and workshops in
which these principles are applied. Prerequisites: MASC
1840.

3691 PUBLIC RELATIONS METHODS
(3 credits) Theoretical and applied aspects of the field of public relations.
A concentrated study of audience and objective analysis, planning a campaign,
writing print and broadcast releases, and using both the mass media and interpersonal
communication effectively. Students should gain a grounding in the history and
philosophy of public relations, an understanding of how to conduct publicity
campaigns, competency in writing publicity releases and public service announcements
for all mass media, and a grasp of how to best utilize the media for publicity
purposes. Weekly workbook assignments offer plenty of opportunity to practice
what is learned, and semester-long internships allow students to apply their
skills to benefit community organizations. Prerequisites: MASC
1840.

3880 COMMUNICATION LAW (3 credits)
Theoretical aspects of the U.S. legal system as it affects the media.
Students should gain a grounding in the history and application of
First Amendment and media case law. Readings, class discussion, and
case studies focus on statutes, case law and agency regulations that
comprise the precedents for the laws that govern media professionals.
Prerequisite: Junior status.

4130 ENGINEERING FOR ELECTRONIC MEDIA
(3 credits) Applied aspects of electronic engineering, how electronic
equipment operates, and entry-level trouble-shooting skills.
Practical application of electronics to broadcasting is covered
through demonstration and hands-on experience. Tours of local
broadcast facilities, and lab work are required. Prerequisites:
MASC 2221 and MASC
2231. (Might not be offered every year)

4150 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (3 credits)
Applied aspects of digital photography. A survey of the history and
principles involved in producing digital photographs, transferring
them to computers, enhancing them with software, and incorporating
them in publications. Readings, discussions, and individual
productions are utilized to familiarize students with the production
of digital photos. This course requires laboratory time.
Prerequisite: MASC 2450. (Might not be offered every year)

4210 MEDIA MANAGEMENT (4 credits) Theoretical and
applied aspects of broadcast media management, including technology, programming,
and advertising sales. Students gain an understanding of the applications of
programming to reach targeted audiences, and of how advertising sales provide
operating capital. Students also become familiar with the new media technologies,
such as the Internet, through lectures, role playing, case studies, and tours
of broadcast facilities. Participation in campus broadcast operations is required.
Prerequisite: Senior status.

4440 COMPUTER-ASSISTED REPORTING (4 credits) Applied
aspects of computer-assisted reporting, writing, and editing. Students gain
competence in using Web sites and the Internet, as well as spreadsheet, statistical,
and data treatment programs to create a variety of in-depth news stories. Lectures
and discussion cover techniques of producing material in a variety of formats
for print, broadcast, and other new, emerging electronic media. Prerequisites:
MASC 2440. (Might not be offered every year)

4610
ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (3 credits) Applied aspects of advertising campaigns.
A study of print and electronic campaigns and how they may or may not achieve
their objectives. Students should gain an understanding of the philosophy of
advertising campaigns and their effects. Research of academic journals and trade
publications provides information that is used to develop campaign strategies
for specific businesses. Prerequisites: MASC 2600, MASC
2640, and MASC 3691. (Might not be offered every year)

4670 MEDIA MARKETING (3
credits) Theoretical and applied aspects of media marketing and sales. Students
should gain an understanding of how media organizations market themselves to
businesses and the general public, as well as how businesses use various media
in their marketing efforts. Salesmanship is an important aspect of this course,
and students must be prepared to address marketing issues and perform in a professional
manner. Prerequisites: MASC 2600, MASC
2640, and MASC 3691. (Might not be offered every year)

4692 ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS (3
credits) Applied aspects of the field of public relations: a case
studies course intended to provide students with the opportunity to
apply their theoretical knowledge to the solution of simulated public
relations problems. Through group discussion and problem solving
processes, as well as individual analysis and reporting, students
learn to address problems as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Semester-long internships with local non-profit organizations offer
the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in everyday
situations. Prerequisite: MASC 3691.

4800 ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SEMINAR (1
credit) Seminar for mass communication majors covering theoretical
aspects in the discipline. The seminar topic changes each year, but
usually centers on some sociological or philosophical aspect of the
media. Students should gain an increased understanding of the
complexity of interaction between the media and society, and a
greater appreciation for the value of exchanging ideas with their
peers. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status.

4891 COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH
(3 credits) For mass communication majors only. Theoretical and
applied aspects of theory building and conducting research. Lectures
and reading cover the theoretical underpinnings of inquiry in
general, and communication research in particular. Students should
gain the skill to conduct research useful for decision-making at a
station, publication, or public relations office; or to publish an
article in a scholarly publication. This course carries an
exceptionally heavy reading requirement. It is taught in conjunction
with Senior Thesis class, and by the end of the term, students have
completed the hypothesis, methodology, and literature review for
their thesis. Prerequisite: MASC 1840 and
junior or senior status.

4892 SENIOR THESIS (3 credits) A
capstone course for mass communication majors covering the applied
aspects of writing a major research paper and intended as a
culmination of their university experience. Students conduct the
project independently, under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
Students complete a thesis suitable for presentation or publication
in an academic setting. Prerequisite: MASC
4891.